By Al Lopus
SEATTLE, Jan. 16, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ — Following their calling and passion, workers in Christian organizations are seeing their engagement levels improve to 51 percent of staff versus 47 percent the previous year. “These increases are substantial,” according to Al Lopus, president of the Best Christian Workplaces Institute. “It’s an indication that leaders in Christian organizations are faithfully recognizing the importance of organizational culture to ministry effectiveness.
” These engaged employees feel energized, passionate, dedicated and are highly involved with their work and the ministry they serve. BCWI describes employee engagement as the degree to which employees are emotionally and spiritually connected and committed to their organization and their role, exerting discretionary effort for the betterment of the organization and those they serve.
The BCWI survey is starting its second decade and has surveyed more than 120,000 employees in more than 500 organizations to date in the US, Canada and Australia. Participation levels are also growing as 80 organizations have participated in the last 6 months alone. Attaining BCWI certification is not easy as many organizations survey multiple times before achieving BCWI’s certification. Of the 80 organizations, these 39 organizations have achieved Certification for 2013.
- Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries – Birmingham,AL
- American Bible Society – New York, NY
- Apartment Life – Hurst, TX
- Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) – Orlando, FL
- Belhaven University – Jackson, MS
- Briarcrest Christian School – Memphis, TN
- Camp Eagle – Rocksprings, TX
- CapinCrouse LLP – Greenwood, IN
- Christian Veterinary Mission – Seattle, WA
- Church of the Rock – Winnipeg, MB
- Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) – Pittsburgh, PA
- CRISTA Broadcasting – Seattle, WA
- CRISTA Camps – Seattle, WA
- CRISTA Ministries – Seattle, WA
- CRISTA Senior Living – Seattle, WA
- Crossroads Christian Church – Corona, CA
- English Language Institute/China – Ft. Collins, CO
- Fielder Church – Arlington, TX
- Grapevine Faith Christian School – Grapevine, TX
- Heritage Christian Academy – Overland Park, KS
- InterVarsity Press – Westmont, IL
- Joni and Friends – Agoura Hills, CA
- King’s Schools – Seattle, WA
- KSBJ – Humble, TX
- Lake Ann Camp – Lake Ann, MI
- Legacy Christian Academy – Frisco, TX
- Mission India – Grand Rapids, MI
- MOPS International – Denver, CO
- Olivet Nazarene University – Bourbonnais, IL
- Rescue Mission – Tacoma, WA
- Samaritan Ministries International – Peoria, IL
- Seattle Urban Academy – Seattle, WA
- The Christian and Missionary Alliance – Colorado Springs, CO
- Upward Unlimited – Spartanburg, SC
- Vineyard Church – Kansas City, MO
- Wheaton Academy – West Chicago, IL
- World Concern – Seattle, WA
- World Harvest Mission – Jenkintown, PA
- WorldServe Ministries (Canada) – White Rock, BC
To earn the distinction as a Best Christian Workplace, organizations participate in the Best Christian Workplaces Institute engagement survey and meet predetermined standards of excellence. The survey covers issues such as job satisfaction, commitment, Christian witness, supervisory effectiveness, personal growth and development, management effectiveness and other factors. Employees confidentially respond to more than 50 questions addressing these topics.
Best Christian Workplaces Institute’s purpose is to serve faith-based organizations by creating processes of discovery, facilitating organizational effectiveness and encouraging practices that build healthy workplaces. BCWI is a non-profit research-based organizational and human resources firm based on Mercer Island, Washington. www.bcwinstitute.org
